Firstly, you need to decide on computers. The software you get will depend on whether you get PCs or Macs. Personally I prefer Mac but our school uses PC’s as they wanted them on the network. The PCs work fine but the network causes hundreds of problems. If you go Mac they do educational discounts ordering direct from Apple.

You need to have at least 1 GB of RAM, a decent graphics and sound card. You will manage with the standard ones...

Digital camcorders are now very good value and you can buy one for about £150. Important considerations:

1. At present (January 2009) the most user friendly format for students to use is still mini DV tape.

Camcorders which use flash type memory cards work well, but downloading to some computer video editing software can cause problems.

This will probably be sorted...

About The Author

I used to work as an IT consultant and marketing manager for Jigsaw Systems Ltd, who are the UK’s largest Apple dealer. (http://www.jigsaw24.com). I recommend you speak to them if you want a site visit or need to get a quotation.

It was my job to introduce Jigsaw into the video/audio markets, so I did about 18 months research into music production, sound for video, video production, as well as dealing with Jigsaw’s...

What is it?

This is the post-production process of making a moving image text, by the selection and ordering of a range of shots (the footage) into a continuous sequence. Editing can bring in audio (dialogue, score and sound effects), titles (credits) and still images.

Editing can help to enforce a theme, narrative or atmosphere, due to the pace and combination of elements selected. This could be through the use of a montage, the use of...

There are many reasons why you may choose Macs or PCs as the IT background of your department. You may not have a choice. However, we want to help you if you wish to argue either way for what you think is best for your students, your course and your team.

PC

1. Tech Support - chances are that your IT technicians are PC users in the main. This means that if something goes wrong with your computers / server you will be able to get help -...

Finance

There are two ways to look at this:

1. Before the course.

If you are at the start of this, you are in a great position. It may be that the Principal has asked you to set up this course from scratch. You have decided to go with AQA for example. Now what? First things first: money.

2. Once the course has started.

Ok. This is the more realistic of the two. Many teachers get asked to start the course and are too busy looking at...

‘I need a video cameras for new term for around £100-150. Cannot seem to find any on market with external mic socket. Any advice?’ [Edusites Facebook Group]

You can’t buy a video camera with mini jack external sound for £150 except second hand. You should get one for about £250.

Have a look at the Canon, Sony or Panasonic range (don’t go Samsung or JVC as the coding is difficult) and find the best value camera with an external mic...

This video was created using a combo of three programs. First, a cheap Mac program called Noodle Flix. This allows green screen and allows you to animate half a dozen digital heads, male and female.

Second a “cloud” program called Xtranormal which used to be free but they now charge for downloads. This gives you camera moves like a studio and third a PC program called Crazytalk which is very versatile. You can animate eyes and mouths on...

These quizzes are best viewed in Firefox.

Firefox is an excellent alternative to Internet Explorer which is available free for both PCs and Macs.

This video was created using a combo of three programs. First, a cheap Mac program called Noodle Flix. This allows green screen and allows you to animate half a dozen digital heads, male and female.

Second a “cloud” program called Xtranormal which used to be free but they now charge for downloads. This gives you camera moves like a studio and third a PC program called Crazytalk which is very versatile. You...